title: In situ cross-linkable hyaluronan hydrogel enhances chondrogenesis.
abstract: The present work describes the feasibility of a cross-linkable injectable hyaluronan hydrogel for cartilage repair. The hydrogel used is a two-component system based on aldehyde-modified hyaluronan and hydrazide-modified polyvinyl alcohol, which are rapidly cross-linked in situ upon mixing. The in vitro study showed that chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells cultured in the gel form cartilage-like tissue, rich in glycosaminoglycans, collagen type II and aggrecan. In a rabbit animal model the injection of the hydrogel improved the healing of a full-thickness cartilage defect created in the knee as compared to non-treated controls. This rabbit study showed that the regenerated cartilage defects stained more intensely for type II collagen upon treatment with the hydrogel. The hyaluronan-based hydrogel may be used as a delivery vehicle for both growth factors and/or cells for cartilage repair. The in vivo study also indicated that the hydrogel alone has a beneficial effect on cartilage regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden. cecilia.aulin@gmail.com
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aulin
authors.forename: Kristoffer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jensen-Waern
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hedenqvist
authors.forename: Jöns
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hilborn
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Engstrand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C435946:dimethylmethylene blue; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008751:Methylene Blue